Mobile gravel spreading apparatus



April 29, 1958 A. CALABRESE MOBILE GRM/E1. SPREADING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 30, 1954 April 29, 1958 A. CALABRESE MOBILE GRAvEL SPREADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m Msi om 9 l, wv; w om A# uw hm; @v TI w m w 1 u i s sheets-sheet 3 A. CALABRESE MOBILE GRAVEL SPREADING APPARATUS April 29, 195s Filed Aug. 50, 1954.

.m H m@ wm Ne w mm mm N ADM vb/ 0 mf B 1 MOBILE GRAVEL SPREADING APPARATUS Antonio Calabrese, Seattle, Wash., assigner to J. Dan

Fiorito, Mercer Island, Wash.

Application August 30, i954, Serial No. 453,079

1 Claim. (Cl. 94--46) This invention relates to gravel spreading means and it has' reference more particularly to equipment that is especially designed for use in street paving operations and the like for the spreading of a bed of gravel, to a predetermined depth, over the prepared roadbed between the opposite side forms which are to define the side limits of the pavement.

It is the principal o-bject of this invention to provide an apparatus that is adapted to be supported by and moved along the opposite side forms which are to define the side limits of a paving strip, and which is in the nature of a hopper into which gravel may be dumped and from which it will automatically tlow with the advancement of the apparatus over the surface of the roadbed to leave a gravel layer of a predetermined depth or thickness.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus of the above character wherein the gravel containing hopper is braced internally with cross members that serve the additional function of effecting an even spreading or distribution of the gravel to the full width of the hopper outlet.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means for establishing the level of the gravel bed relative to the level of the form members, as left by the advancement of the equipment.

Still another object is to provide means for sloping olf the shoulders of the gravel bed to the level of the lower edges of the form members as placed along the opposite sides of the roadway.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details or construction and in the combination of parts embodied in the apparatus and in their mode of operation, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a gravel spreading and gravel bed forming apparatus embodied by the present invention; and showing it as supported for travel upon the opposite side forms as laid for the formation of a strip of paving therebetween.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the apparatus; the supporting form timbers being shown only in dotted lines for better illustration and easier understanding of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a top, or plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the apparatus, taken on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the sidewall portions of the apparatus, taken on the line 5 5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of a part of one of the plate adjusting screws and nut.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

For a better understanding of the purpose and mode of use of the present apparatus, I have shown, in Fig. l, a roadbed as prepared for paving with a suitable material such, for example, as concrete. This roadbed is desigatent O ice ` nated in various views by reference numeral .l0 and it is defined between two parallel form members 11--11. The form members, which preferably would be wooden timbers of suitable dimensions, are disposed at the desired grade and are tixed in place by suitable means not herein shown and aside from serving as forms for delining the side edge limits of the paving strip to be laid, they serve additionally as rails upon which the present apparatus is` adapted to be supported for travel for the lay down of the gravel bed.

The present apparatus is in ettect a mobilized hopper. It is of rectangular form and of such length as to substantially span the distance between the form timbers 11-11. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it comprises vertically disposed opposite sidewalls 'I2-12, and downwardly and inwardly sloping end walls 13-13. Preferably the hopper is constructed of sheet metal plates, as herein indicated. Its opposite sidewall construction is as shown best in cross-section in Fig. 5, and it is these particular walls that, in the illustrated use of the device, are disposed parallel with the form timbers Ill-11. The sloping end wall construction of the hopper preferably is as illustrated in cross-section in Fig. 4. The end walls of the hopper are those that are disposed transversely of the roadbed in the use of the apparatus as in Fig. l. Aside from the inwardly sloping wall forming portions 13, the end wall structure also includes an outer vertical plate member 13x that is joined along its top edge with the top edge of the wall 13, and along its lower edge is joined with an inwardly sloping plate 13y that extends to and is joined with the lower edge of the wall 13; these various parts being securely united as by welding, to provide the necessary rigidity and durability for the intended use.

The rectangular frame structure, as delined by the opposite sidewalls i12-l2 and opposite end walls 13-13, is equipped at opposite sides with a pair of supporting wheels 15-l5. These wheels have rubber tired tread portions of substantial width, adapted to travel upon the top surfaces of the opposite form delining timbers 11-1l, as has been illustrated in Figs. l and 3. These supporting wheels are of lesser diameter than the height of the sidewalls, as

noted in Fig. 2, and are so mounted on said sidewalls that they do not extend above the level of their top edges. Each wheel is rotatable on a spindle 16 that is xed to a bracket or mounting plate 17 that in turn is welded, or otherwise suitably attached, to the hopper structure. `It is preferred also that the wheels 15 be located closely adjacent the four corners of the hopper as has been best shown in the plan view of Fig. 3.

The rectangular hopper structure, in the form shown,

is substantially braced to give it the necessary rigidity and to prevent any racking action incident to its use that would be detrimental. As shown in Fig. 3, there is a centrally located brace bar 29 extended horizontally across the hopper between the Walls 13-13 and joined thereto about midway of their top and lower edges. Also there are diagonally directed brace members 21-21, from corner to corner of the hopper and crossing each other at their junction with the cross-bar 20. These latter members are in the form of vertically disposed plates, the lower edges of which are disposed at the level of the bottom edges of the side and end wall plates of the hopper, and as an additional function of these diagonally directed plates,

55 end and will be leveled off to a depth that is established by the lower longitudinal edge of the trailing wall member 13, as will be understood from the showing of parts in Fig. 4 wherein the direction of travel of the equipment o the form timbers is indicated by the arrow x. i

It is one of the features of this apparatus that provision has been made for leveling off the gravel bed at some predetermined level below the top edges of the form members ll-llL For this purpose, I provide adjustably mounted level establishing plates 25 yon the sloping walls 13-13, as seen in Fig. 4, for adjustment up or down on the walls. Fixed to the lower edge portion of each plate 25 is a leveling olf blade 26. These blades extend to the full length of each plate and project slightly below their lower edges.

Each plate 2S is adjustably' held in place on its corre* sponding wall 13 beneath the recessed lower edges of a plurality of vertically disposed web plates 28 that are welded to the walls i3, at spaced intervals therealong and above the position of plates 11.3. Fixed to the plates 25, attheir opposite ends, are threaded adjusting rods 29-29. These rods extend upwardly along the sloping walls 13 and slide freely through brackets 30 lixed to the walls 13 near their top edges. Sleeve like nuts 3l and 3l are threaded onto the rods, to engage the upper and lower sides of the brackets respectively, as the means for holding the plates 25 at any of the different positions of Vertical adjustment. The nut 31 is like that applied to the upper end of shaft 42 in Fig, 6, and nut 3l is also threaded on the shaft for adjustment.

In the use of the present apparatus, which is designed for travel in either direction along the roadway, the plate 25 mounted on the wall i3 which in any operation is at the forward end of the hopper would be adjusted upwardly to such extent as to lift the blade 26 clear of the roadbed, while the plate 25 which is mounted on the wall 13 which is at the trailing end of the hopper would be adjusted to bring its lower edge to a level that will establish the desired level of the top surface of the gravel bed as laid on the roadway by the advancement of the apparatus. If the roadbed is properly graded, then the gravel bed will be of a. uniform depth.

In order that the gravel bed can be formed along its opposite side edges with shoulders that slope downwardly to the level of the bottom edges of the form timbers, as will be understood by reference to the sloping shoulder surface at 35 in Fig. 5, there has been provided, at each of the opposite sides of the hopper, and at both ends, the shoulder grading blades designated generally by reference numerals 36 and later described more in detail.

It has been shown in Fig. that 'the sidewalls l2-12 are spaced inwardly to some extent from the forms lil-ll. However, it is desired that suicient gravel ow laterally beyond these walls to adequately form the shoulder portions 35 by the action of the grading blades 36.

For this purpose, each sidewall 12 is cut away along its lower edge portion, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, to provide a recess 38 which extends some inches above the level of the lower edge of walls 13--l3. Over each recess a plate 39 is adjustably extended, and each plate is held for vertical adjustment beneath the edge portions of web plates 40 that are welded to the upper parts of wall plates 12. Attached to opposite end portions of plates 39 are adjusting screws 42 which extend uwardly and freely through brackets 43 xed to the top edge portions of the sidewalls 12-12, with nuts 4l threaded thereon for adjusting the elevation of the plates 39 for proper outflow of gravel to the sides of the hopper.

To give rigidity to the hopper, and provide a sort of frame structure, I have welded beams 411-44 to the opposite sidewalls of hopper structure, to extend horizontally thereacross and beyond the opposite ends of the hopper as will be understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Fixed vertically to each of the opposite end portions of each beam, are tubular bearings 45 in each `oli Which a shaft 46 is pulled forward.

is rotatably and slidably contained. At its lower end, each shaft has an arm 47 iixed radially thereto which, at its outer end, mounts a grading blade 36 thereon at approximately a right angle thereto; the relationship of these parts 36 and 47 to each other, and to the form timbers 11--11 being well shown in Fig. 3. Fixed to the upper end of each shaft 46 is a radial arm 48 extending in the same direction as the arm 47 and attached under tension to the outer end of arm 48 and to a post 49 on the beam 44 is a coiled spring 5t) which operates to yieldingly hold the grading blade 36 in its functional position, as shown at the top of Fig. 3. Likewise, when the blade 35 is in its non-functional position, such as the position in which the blades 36 are shown at the lower edge of Fig. 3, the springs operate to retain them yielding in that position.

lt is to be understood that, as the hopper is advanced, only the shoulder grading blades 36 at the trailing end of the hopper are used, and the others are adjusted to the non-functional position. When the direction of travel of the hopper is changed, then the positions of the grading blades at the forward and rearward ends are reversed.

When grading blades are swung from their functioning positions, as shown at the top of Fig. 3, to the nonfunctioning position in which they are shown at the lower edge of Fig. 3, the lever arms 43 at the upper ends of the vertical shafts 46 ride up inclined rails 53 fixed to the hopper structure, and automatically lift the blades 36 clear of the roadway as will be noted by reference to Fia. 2.

x:For the purpose of automatically guiding the hopper along the form timbers, I have mounted guide rollers 55 on the outsides of the opposite end portions of the beams i4-44 for rolling contact with the inside surfaces of the form timbers lil- 11 as shown in Fig. 3. Y

For pulling the hopper along the roadway it is provided on the end walls 13-13 with strap loops 60 to which a cable or the like, as at 6l can be readily attached.

Assuming that the device is so constructed, and has been mounted for travel on the form timbers Il wll as shown in Fig. l, the mode of operation contemplates that gravel hauling trucks will be backed along the roadbed to the hopper and their loads dumped thereinto. Then a truck is hitched to the cable 6l and the hopper As it is advanced, the gravel ows automatically from the open lower end and is spread onto the roadbed to the level as determined by the position of the lowered blade 26, while the grading blades 36, positioned as shown in Figs. l and 3, grade off the shoulders to the level of the lower edges of the form timbers by moving any excess gravel inwardly.

Apparatus of this character provides for a practically continuous advancement along the prepared roadway and effects a quick, even leveling off of the gravel bed and the desired sloping off of the shoulders.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

A gravel spreading means comprising a rectangular hopper adapted to be disposed between form timbers extended along opposite sides of a roadbed to establish the grade and define the opposite side limits, beams xed horizontally to opposite end walls of said hopper, wheels mounted on said beams at their opposite ends for travel on said timbers and for support of said hopper for advancement in either direction along the roadbed at a definite level relative to the level of the top surfaces of the said timbers, guide wheels 4on said beams positioned for rolling contact with the inner faces of said timbers to center the hopper between the timbers, means attached to said hopper for towing it along the roadbed as supported on said timbers; said hopper having opposite sidewalls with recessed lower edges providing for lateral flow of gravel from the hopper toward the said timbers, vertically adjustable plates xed to said sidewalls across their recessed portions for regulating the extent of lateral seams flow of gravel therefrom, transverse plates vertically adjustable on the hopper endwalls and selectively usable in accordance with the direction of travel of the hopper to establish the surface level of the gravel bed as laid down by the advancing hopper, said hopper being equipped at `opposite sides and at both ends with vertically adjustable shoulder grading blades, mounting bearings xed to said beams at opposite ends of said hopper, shafts supported in said bearings and said shoulder grading blades mounted on the lower ends of said shafts, a curved, inclined rod fixed to the hopper adjacent each shoulder grading blade shaft, an arm xed to each shaft at its upper end, said arms being adapted to engage with and follow along the inclined rod as said shaft is rotated to effect lifting or lowering of the blade, and retaining means connected to each arm to maintain said lifted or lowered positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent Re. 23,165 v1,470,157 1,750,896 1,767,243 1,861,925 1,933,377 1,953,890 1,970,391 1,979,619 2,089,094 2,252,717 2,572,776 2,660,937

UNITED STATES PATENTS Little Nov. 8, Fike Oct. 9, Lichtenberg Mar. 18, Kime June 24, Kime June 7, Low Oct. 31, Allen Apr. 3, Nickerson Aug. 14, Hemstreet Nov. 6, Kime Aug. 3, Lundbye Aug. 19, Smith Oct. 23, Breeden Dec. l, 

